Storage assembly for holding recording media

ABSTRACT

A storage assembly includes a main body defining a first storage space therein, and having a first opening for access into the first storage space. A door unit is mounted on the main body, and is movable relative to the main body between open and closed positions. The door unit includes a door frame and a storage unit. The door frame is attached to a periphery of the first opening. The storage unit projects from the inner surface of the door frame in a transverse direction relative to the door frame into the first storage space of the main body when the door unit is at the closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a storage assembly, more particularly to a storage assembly for holding recording media, such as laser disks, CD, VCD, DVD, audio recording tapes, and video recording cartridges.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A storage assembly for holding recording media is known in the art, and includes a casing of predetermined size and dimension such that consumers can select the size of the storage assembly according to their needs. The recording media, such as floppy disks, recording tapes and video cartridges, CD, VCD, DVD are of different dimensions and sizes. A conventional storage assembly generally defines a plurality of identical compartments therein. Thus, the compartments can only accommodate a particular type of the recording media. As a result, the consumer needs to purchase storage assemblies of different sizes and dimensions for accommodating different types of recording media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a storage assembly that is adapted to accommodate different types of recording media.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a storage assembly for holding recording media includes a main body and a door unit. The main body defines a first storage space therein, and has a first opening for access into the first storage space. The door unit is mounted on the main body, and is movable relative to the main body between an open position, where access into the first storage space via the first opening is possible, and a closed position, where access into the first storage space via the first opening is denied. The door unit includes a door frame and a storage unit. The door frame is attached to a periphery of the first opening, and has an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface and facing toward the main body. The storage unit projects from the inner surface of the door frame in a transverse direction relative to the door frame into the first storage space of the main body when the door unit is at the closed position. The storage unit defines a second storage space, and has a second opening for access into the second storage space.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the storage assembly for holding recording media includes a main body and a door unit. The main body defines a first storage space therein, and has a first opening for access into the first storage space. The door unit is mounted on the main body, and is movable relative to the main body between an open position, where access into the first storage space via the first opening is possible, and a closed position, where access into the first storage space via the first opening is denied. The door unit includes a door plate and a storage unit. The door plate is attached to a periphery of the first opening, and has an outer surface, and an inner surface that is opposite to the outer surface and that faces toward the main body. The storage unit projects from a selected one of the inner and outer surfaces of the door plate in a transverse direction relative to the door plate. The storage unit defines a second storage space, and has a second opening for access into the second storage space.

[0008] The first storage space of the main body is divided into a plurality of major compartments so that recording tapes and video cartridges can be kept in the major compartments.

[0009] The second storage space of the storage unit is divided into a plurality of disk-retention slots such that recording media of relatively small thickness and relatively small size, such as floppy disks, CD, VCD, and DVD can be stored kept in the retention slots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an eighth preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention; and

[0020]FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a ninth preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Before the invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote the same elements throughout the entire specification.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a storage assembly for recording media according to the present invention is shown to include a rectangular main body 20 and a door unit 30.

[0023] As illustrated, the main body 20 has a top wall 201, a bottom wall 202, left and right walls 203, 203, and a rear wall 205 which cooperatively define a first storage space 21 therein, and a first opening 206 for access into the first storage space 21. A plurality of identical shelves 211 are fixed on the rear wall 205 so as to divide the first storage space 21 into a plurality of major compartments 207 so that recording tapes and video cartridges can be stored in the major compartments 207.

[0024] The door unit 30 is mounted on the main body 20 in such a manner that the door unit 30 is movable relative thereto between an open position (not shown), where access into the major compartments 207 via the first opening 206 is possible, and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, where access into the major compartments 207 via the first opening 206 is denied.

[0025] In the first preferred embodiment, the door unit 30 includes a rectangular door frame 31 and a storage unit 33. The door frame 31 is attached to a periphery of the first opening 206, and has an outer surface, and an inner surface which is opposite to the outer surface and which faces the main body 20. The storage unit 33 projects from the inner surface of the door frame 31 in a transverse direction relative to the door frame 31 into the first storage space 21 of the main body 20 when the door unit 30 is at the closed position. The storage unit 33 defines a second storage space 330, and has a second opening 331 for access into the second storage space 330. The door frame 31 defines a third opening 310 that faces and that conforms with the second opening 331. The storage unit 33 preferably includes left and right side walls (33L, 33R) that are parallel to each other and that project from two opposite sides of the door frame 31 in the transverse direction into the first storage space 21 of the main body 20 to define therebetween the second storage space 330. A plurality of vertically spaced apart left ribs 332 are formed on an inner face of the left side wall (33L), and extend in the transverse direction. A plurality of vertically spaced apart right ribs 332 are formed on an inner face of the right side wall (33R), and extend in the transverse direction. The right ribs 332 complement with the left ribs 332 to form a plurality of retention slots 333 therebetween such that recording media of relatively small thickness but with relatively large size, such as laser disks can be kept in the retention slots 333.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment in construction, except that a transparent door panel 50 is mounted pivotally on the door frame 31 for closing the third opening 310.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to be similar to the second preferred embodiment in construction. The main difference resides in that the door frame 31 includes left and right inner side walls 311 which confine the third opening 310 (see FIG. 1), and left and right guide rails 312 which extend along the left and right inner side walls 311 and into the first storage space 21 of the main body 20 (see FIG. 1) A flexible door panel 50 is mounted slidably on the guide rails 312 for closing the third opening 310. Preferably, an intermediate partition 41 is disposed uprightly within the second storage space 330, and has vertically spaced apart left and right ribs 411 which complement with the left and right ribs 332 of the left and right side walls (33L, 33R) of the storage unit 33 to define disk-retention slots 333 such that recording media of relatively small thickness and relatively small size, such as floppy disks, CD, VCD, and DVD, can be stored in the retention slots 333.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to be similar to the third preferred embodiment in construction, except that the door frame 31 is formed with top and bottom inner side walls which confine the third opening 310 (see FIG. 1), top and bottom guide rails 304 which extend along the top and bottom inner side walls, and two slidable door panels 50 mounted slidably on the top and bottom guide rails 304 for closing the third opening 310 (see FIG. 1). Relative movement between the door panels 50 on the guide rails 304 results in partially uncovering of the third opening 310.

[0029]FIG. 6 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the fourth preferred embodiment in construction. The main difference resides in that a plurality of rectangular drawers 60 are mounted slidably on the left and right side walls (33L, 33R) of the storage unit 33 (see FIG. 1) in a stacked manner and extend into the second storage space. The drawers 60 have outer ends received fittingly in the third opening 310 (see FIG. 1) of the door frame 31 and substantially flush with the door frame 31 and the outer end of the main body 20 when the door unit 30 is at the close position.

[0030]FIG. 7 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the fifth preferred embodiment in construction. The main difference resides in that a plurality of V-shaped drawers 60 are mounted turnably on the left and right side walls (33L, 33R) of the storage unit 33 (see FIG. 1) in a stacked manner, and have outer ends received fittingly in the third opening 310 and substantially flush with the door frame 31 and the outer end of the main body 20 when the door unit 30 is at the closed position.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to include a rectangular main body 20 and a door unit 30. Since the structure of the main body 20 and its connection to the door unit 30 are the same as those of the first preferred embodiment, a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. The door unit 30 of this embodiment includes a flat door plate 31, and a storage unit 33 which projects from the inner surface of the door plate 31 in a transverse direction relative to the door plate 31. The storage unit 33 defines a second storage space 330, and has a second opening for access into the second storage space 330. The storage unit 33 includes horizontal top and bottom plates (334, 335), and a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal partitions 336. The top and bottom plates 334, 335 are fixed on the inner surface of the door plate 31, and project in the transverse direction into the first storage space of the main body 20 to confine the second storage space 330. The horizontal partitions 336 are disposed between the top and bottom plates 334, 335 so as to divide the second storage space 330 into a plurality of parallel compartments 337 accessible via the second opening. A plurality of vertical rods 338 extend through the partitions 336, and are fastened securely to the top and bottom plates 334, 335 in order to reinforce the partitions 336.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to be similar to the seventh preferred embodiment in construction. The main difference resides in that storage unit 33 is fixed on an outer surface of the door plate 31 instead of the inner surface of the door plate 31.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to include a main body 20 and a storage unit 33. The main body 20 defines a first storage space therein, and has a first opening for access into the first storage space. The storage unit 33 is mounted pivotally on the main body 20 for covering the first opening, and includes a pair of cabinets defining therein a second storage space and a second opening for access into the second storage space. A door panel 50 is mounted on each cabinet for covering the second opening.

[0034] With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A storage assembly for holding recording media, comprising: a main body defining a first storage space therein, and having a first opening for access into said first storage space; and a door unit mounted on said main body and movable relative to said main body between an open position, where access into said first storage space via said first opening is possible, and a closed position, where access into said first storage space via said first opening is denied, said door unit including a door frame attached to a periphery of said first opening, and having an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite to said outer surface and facing toward said main body, and a storage unit projecting from said inner surface of said door frame in a transverse direction relative to said door frame into said first storage space of said main body when said door unit is at said closed position, said storage unit defining a second storage space and having a second opening for access into said second storage space.
 2. The storage assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said door frame defines a third opening facing and conforming with said second opening, said storage unit including left and right side walls that are parallel to each other and that project from two opposite sides of said door frame in said transverse direction into said first storage space to define therebetween said second storage space, and a plurality of vertically spaced apart left ribs formed on an inner face of said left side wall and extending in said transverse direction, and a plurality of vertically spaced apart right ribs formed on an inner face of said right side wall and extending in said transverse direction and complementing with said left ribs to form a plurality of slots therebetween.
 3. The storage assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said door frame further includes a transparent door panel mounted pivotally thereto for closing said third opening.
 4. The storage assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said door frame includes left and right inner side walls which confine said third opening, left and right guide rails extending along said left and right inner side walls and into said main storage space, and a flexible door panel mounted slidably on said guide rails for closing said third opening.
 5. The storage assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said door frame further includes top and bottom inner side walls which confine said third opening, top and bottom guide rails respectively extending along said top and bottom inner side walls, and two slidable door panels mounted slidably on said top and bottom guide rails for closing said third opening.
 6. The storage assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said door frame defines a third opening facing and conforming with said second opening, said storage unit including left and right side walls that are parallel to each other and that project from two opposite sides of said door frame in said transverse direction into said first storage space to define therebetween said second storage space, and a plurality of stacked rectangular drawers mounted slidably on said left and right side walls and having outer ends received fittingly in said third opening and substantially flush with said door frame when said door unit 30 is at said closed position.
 7. The storage assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said door frame defines a third opening facing and conforming with said second opening, said storage unit including left and right side walls that are parallel to each other and that project from two opposite sides of said door frame in said transverse direction into said first storage space to define therebetween said second storage space, and a plurality of stacked V-shaped drawers mounted turnably on said left and right side walls and having outer ends received fittingly in said third opening and substantially flush with said door frame when said door unit is at said closed position.
 8. A storage assembly for holding recording media, comprising: a main body defining a first storage space therein, and having a first opening for access into said first storage space; and a door unit mounted on said main body and movable relative to said main body between an open position, where access into said first storage space via said first opening is possible, and a closed position, where access into said first storage space via said first opening is denied, said door unit including a door plate attached to a periphery of said first opening, and having an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite to said outer surface and facing toward said main body, and a storage unit projecting from a selected one of said inner and outer surfaces of said door plate in a transverse direction relative to said door plate, said storage unit defining a second storage space and having a second opening for access into said second storage space.
 9. The storage assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said storage unit includes horizontal top and bottom plates fixed on said inner surface of said door plate and projecting in said transverse direction into said first storage space to confine said second storage space, a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal partitions disposed between said top and bottom plates so as to divide said second storage space into a plurality of parallel compartments accessible via said second opening, and a plurality of vertical rods extending through said partitions and fasten to said top and bottom plates in order to reinforce said partitions.
 10. The storage assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said storage unit includes horizontal top and bottom plates fixed on said outer surface of said door plate and projecting in said transverse direction to confine said second storage space, a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal partitions disposed between said top and bottom plates so as to divide said second storage space into a plurality of parallel compartments accessible via said second opening, and a plurality of vertical rods extending through said partitions and fasten to said top and bottom plates in order to reinforce said partitions.
 11. A storage assembly for holding recording media, comprising: a main body defining a first storage space therein, and having a first opening for access into said first storage space; and a storage unit mounted pivotally on said main body for covering said first opening, and having a cabinet defining therein a second storage space and a second opening for access into said second storage space, and a door panel for covering said second opening. 